Fighters loyal to the self-declared Islamic State of Iraq and Syria say they will press on toward Baghdad, despite attempts by Iraqi Special Forces to repel them.
The ISIS insurgents have been slowed by Iraqi forces at the town of Samarra, roughly 100 kilometers north of Baghdad. But Iraqi authorities are expressing deep concern that ISIS may try to attack Baghdad from the Euphrates valley, south of the capital.
Reuters reports that ISIS militants are using secret desert tunnels to transport fighters, weapons and supplies from western Iraq to Jurf al-Sakhar, a town near the capital in a bid to evade the Iraqi Air Force.
The town of Jurf al-Sakhar came under intense assault by ISIS militants in late July. Reuters reported more than 200 mortars were fired, while suicide bombers detonated explosive-laden Humvees.
Many Shi’ite residents fled the town, located just 60 kilometers south of Baghdad, as ISIS insurgents advanced.
Ещё видео!